Rotary internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

A rotary internal combustion engine comprises an outer housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a crosssection of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite semicircles joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts. A rotor of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration is coaxially rotatably mounted in the outer housing. An inner housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration has a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite arcs joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts at substantially right angles to the linear parts of the outer housing. The inner housing is coaxially positioned in the rotor thereby forming a combustion chamber between the rotor and one of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and one of the linear parts of the inner housing and a compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing. A pair of elongated windows are formed through the rotor in diametrically opposite positions and extend parallel to the axis of the rotor. A pair of blades are rotatably mounted in diametrically opposite parts of the rotor with their axes parallel to the axis of the rotor. Each of the blades is mounted in a corresponding one of the windows. A blade rotating device is coupled to the blades for rotating both blades synchronously a full 360* cycle for each 360* of rotation of the rotor whereby when the blades are positioned between the linear parts of the outer housing and the arcs of the inner housing, the blades are substantially perpendicular to radii of the rotor, and when the blades are positioned between the semicircles of the outer housing and the linear parts of the inner housing, the blades are substantially radially positioned in the rotor.

United States Patent [191 Zollenkopf 51 May 27, 1975 ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE [75] Inventor: Hans M. Zollenkopf, Niagara Falls,

Ontario, Canada [73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization,

Inc., New York, NY. a part interest [22] Filed: June 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 375,125

[52] US. Cl 123/8.45; 418/227 [51] Int. Cl. F02b 55/14 [58] Field of Search 123/827, 8.01, 8.33, 8.31,

Primary Examiner-C. J. Husar Assistant Examiner-O. T. Sessions Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel Jay Tick [57] ABSTRACT .A rotary internal combustion engine comprises an outer housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a crosssection of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite semicircles joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts. A rotor of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration is coaxially rotatably mounted in the outer housing. An inner housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration [has a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite arcs joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts at substantially right angles to the linear parts of the outer housing. The inner housing is coaxially positioned in the rotor thereby forming a combustion chamber between the rotor and one of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and one of the linear parts of the inner housing and a compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing. A pair of elongated windows are formed through the rotor in diametrically opposite positions and extend parallel to the axis of the rotor. A pair of blades are rotatably mounted in diametrically opposite parts of the rotor with their axes parallel to the axis of the rotor. Each of the blades is mounted in a corresponding one of the windows. A blade rotating device is coupled to the blades for rotating both blades synchronously a full 360 cycle for each 360 of rotation of the rotor whereby when the blades are positioned between the linear parts of the outer housing and the arcs of the inner housing, the blades are substantially perpendicular to radii of the rotor, and when the blades are positioned between the semicircles of the outer housing and the linear parts of the inner housing, the blades are substantially radially positioned in the rotor.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a rotary internal combustion engine.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a rotary internal combustion engine of relatively simple structure which functions with efficiency to produce a maximum amount of power for a given amount of fuel and which is non-pollutant.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the rotary internal combustion engine of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the rotary internal combustion engine of the invention.

In the FIGS. the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The rotary internal combustion engine of the invention comprises an outer housing 1 of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite semicircles 2 and 3 joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts 4 and 5 (FIG. 2).

A rotor 6 of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration is coaxially rotatably mounted in the outer housing 1 on a rotor shaft 7 (FIG. 1). A pair of elongated windows 8 and 9 are formed through the rotor 6 in diametrically opposite positions and extend parallel to the axis of the rotor. A pair of blades 10 and 11 are rotatably mounted in diametrically opposite parts of the rotor with their axes parallel to the axis of the rotor 6. Each of the blades is mounted in a corresponding one of the windows. Thus, the first blade 10 is mounted in the first window 8 and the second blade 11 is mounted in the secondwindow 9.

An inner housing 12 of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration has a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite arcs 13 and 14 joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts 15 and 16 (FIG. 2) at substantially right angles to the linear parts 4 and 5 of the outer housing 1. The inner housing 12 is coaxially positioned in the rotor 6 thereby forming a combustion chamber 17 between the rotor 6 and one of the semicircles 2 of the outer housing 1 and a combustion chamber 18 between the rotor 6 and one of the linear parts 15 of the inner housing 12 (FIG. 2). A compression chamber 19 is formed between the rotor 6 and the other of the semicircles 3 of the outer housing 1 and a compression chamber 20 is formed between the rotor and the other of the linear parts 16 of the inner housing 12 (FIG. 2).

Blade rotating means is coupled to the blades 10 and 11 for rotating both blades 90 relative to the radius of the rotor for each 90 of rotation of the rotor 6 and 180 in relation to its former position, whereby when the blades are positioned between the linear parts 4 and 5 of the outer housing 1 and the arcs 13 and 14 of the inner housing 12, the blades are substantially perpendicular to radii of the rotor. When the blades 10 and 11 are positioned between the semicircles 2 and 3 of the outer housing 1 and the linear parts 15 and 16 of the inner housing 12, the blades are substantially radially positioned in the rotor 6.

The blade rotating means comprises a stationary gear 21 fixedly mounted on the inside of the outer housing 1 and a first planetary gear 221 and a second planetary gear 23 coupled to, and in mesh with, the stationary gear. The first planetary gear 22 is mounted on a shaft 24 on which the first blade 10 is mounted. The first planetary gear and the first blade rotate with the shaft 24. The second planetary gear 23 is mounted on a shaft 25 on which the second blade 11 is mounted. The second planetary gear and the second blade rotate with the shaft 25.

An exhaust duct 26 opens from the combustion chamber 17 and extends through the outer housing 2 (FIG. 2). An exhaust duct 27 opens from the combustion chamber 18 into the inner housing 12 and extends through one of the arcs 13 of the inner housing 12. An exhaust duct 28 opens from the inner housing 12 and extends through one of the arcs 13 of the inner housing (FIG. 2).

An air intake duct 29 opens into the compression chamber 19 and extends through the outer housing 1 (FIG. 2). An air intake duct 30 opens into the compression chamber 20 and extends through one of the arcs 13 of the inner housing 12 (FIG. 2).

A fuel injection device 31 in the inner housing 12 extends from the compression chamber 20 through the other of the linear parts 16 (FIG. 2). One or more spark plugs, or other suitable fuel ignition devices 32, are provided in the inner housing 12 (FIG. 2). Thus, the fuel is injected into the compression chamber 20 and the compression chamber 19 during that part of the cycle when a blade 10 or 11 passes through the proximate area of the fuel injection device. When a blade 10 or 11 passes through the proximate area of the spark plug or plugs 32, the fuel mixture is ignited and explodes in the combustion chambers 17 and 18.

A hot gas trap 33 of known type is provided in the inner housing 12 to trap hot gases in the combustion chambers 17 and 18.

The rotor 6 may be cooled by any suitable known means, although a preferred method of cooling the rotor is to provide a plurality of air ducts 34, and so on (FIG. 2) formed through the rotor and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the rotor in equiangularly spaced relation.

Although two combustion chambers 17 and 18 are described, they are, in effect, a single combustion chamber due to the windows 8 and 9 which pass between them for a major portion of the cycle of rotation of the rotor. This is true also for the compression chambers l9 and 20, which are, in effect, a single compression chamber.

When the rotor has rotated from its position illustrated in FIG. 2, the blade 11 is driven through the combustion chamber 17, 18 by the burning air and fuel mixture behind it, while at the same time expelling exhaust fumes before it. The other blade 10, which is then moving through the compression chamber 19, 20, draws fresh air behind it and compresses injected fuel and air before it. When the blade 10 then moves into its position, shown as the position of the blade 11 in FIG. 2, the air and fuel mixture is forced into the combustion chamber 17, 18 through an opening in the rotor in front of said blade. Hot gas from the previous explosion, trapped in the insulated pocket of the hot gas trap 33 ignites the fuel and air mixture when such mixture is moving into the combustion chamber 17, I8 and produces a new power impulse. The spark plug system is utilized for ignition only in starting the motor.

The engine of the invention thus has the advantages of no vibration and no loss of power through constant change of direction of motion as in a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, since all the moving parts of the engine of the present invention constantly rotate in the same direction. Additional advantages are that there are two power strokes for each revolution of the rotor, no electrical ignition is required after the engine has warmed up and more than one unit may be provided on the same rotor shaft. Furthermore, with a few modifications, the engine may be driven by steam or compressed air, or may be used as a pump.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A rotary internal combustion engine, comprising an outer housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite semicircles joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts;

a rotor of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration coaxially rotatably mounted in the outer housan inner housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite arcs joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts at substantially right angles to the linear parts of the outer housing, the inner housing being coaxially positioned in the rotor thereby forming a combustion chamber between the rotor and one of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and one of the linear parts of the inner housing and a compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing;

a pair of elongated windows formed through the rotor in diametrically opposite positions and extending parallel to the axis of the rotor;

a pair of blades rotatably mounted in diametrically opposite parts of the rotor with their axes parallel to the axis of the rotor, each of the blades being mounted in a corresponding one of the windows;

blade rotating means coupled to the blades for rotating both blades relative to the radius of the rotor for each 90 of rotation of the rotor and in relation to its former position, whereby when the blades are positioned between the linear parts of the outer housing and the arcs of the inner housing said blades are substantially perpendicular to radii of the rotor, and when the blades are positioned between the semicircles of the outer housing and the linear parts of the inner housing said blades are substantially radially positioned in the rotor; and intake and exhaust means extending to the inner and outer housings of said engine.

2. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exhaust means open from the combustion chamber between the rotor and the one of the semicircles of the outer housing and extends through the outer housing and opens from the combustion chamber between the rotor and the one of the linear parts of the inner housing into the inner housing and extends through one of the arcs of the inner housing.

3. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said intake means opens into the compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the semicircles of the outer housing and extends through the outer housing and intake means opens into the compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing and extends through the one of the arcs of the inner housing.

4. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said exhaust means opens from the inner housing and extends through the one of the arcs of the inner housing.

5. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 4, further comprising fuel injection means in the inner housing extending from the compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing through said other of said linear parts, and spark plug means in the inner housing.

6. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a hot gas trap in the inner housing. 4

7. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 6, further comprising rotor cooling means comprising a plurality of air ducts formed through the rotor and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the rotor in equiangularly spaced relation. 

1. A rotary internal combustion engine, comprising an outer housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite semicircles joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts; a rotor of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration coaxially rotatably mounted in the outer housing; an inner housing of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a cross-section of a pair of spaced diametrically opposite arcs joined by a pair of spaced substantially parallel diametrically opposite linear parts at substantially right angles to the linear parts of the outer housing, the inner housing being coaxially positioned in the rotor thereby forming a combustion chamber between the rotor and one of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and one of the linear parts of the inner housing and a compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the semicircles of the outer housing and between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing; a pair of elongated windows formed through the rotor in diametrically opposite positions and extending parallel to the axis of the rotor; a pair of blades rotatably mounted in diametrically opposite parts of the rotor with their axes parallel to the axis of the rotor, each of the blades being mounted in a corresponding one of the windows; blade rotating means coupled to the blades for rotating both blades 90* relative to the radius of the rotor for each 90* of rotation of the rotor and 180* in relation to its former position, whereby when the blades are positioned between the linear parts of the outer housing and the arcs of thE inner housing said blades are substantially perpendicular to radii of the rotor, and when the blades are positioned between the semicircles of the outer housing and the linear parts of the inner housing said blades are substantially radially positioned in the rotor; and intake and exhaust means extending to the inner and outer housings of said engine.
 2. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exhaust means open from the combustion chamber between the rotor and the one of the semicircles of the outer housing and extends through the outer housing and opens from the combustion chamber between the rotor and the one of the linear parts of the inner housing into the inner housing and extends through one of the arcs of the inner housing.
 3. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said intake means opens into the compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the semicircles of the outer housing and extends through the outer housing and intake means opens into the compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing and extends through the one of the arcs of the inner housing.
 4. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said exhaust means opens from the inner housing and extends through the one of the arcs of the inner housing.
 5. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 4, further comprising fuel injection means in the inner housing extending from the compression chamber between the rotor and the other of the linear parts of the inner housing through said other of said linear parts, and spark plug means in the inner housing.
 6. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a hot gas trap in the inner housing.
 7. A rotary internal combustion engine as claimed in claim 6, further comprising rotor cooling means comprising a plurality of air ducts formed through the rotor and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the rotor in equiangularly spaced relation. 